Waterhouse appointed AO in Australia Day honours 

Gai Waterhouse’s glittering CV was stamped with another jewel last night when the ‘first lady of racing’ was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the Australia Day honours. 

Waterhouse, who has been a licence holder since 1992 and currently trains in partnership with Adrian Bott, was recognised for her distinguished service to the thoroughbred horseracing industry, particularly as a leading trainer and as a role model for young women.

The 66-year-old is perhaps the most famous face in Australian racing, having amassed a career record that numbers thousands of winners and almost 150 Group 1 triumphs. 

In a career spanning nearly three decades, Waterhouse has prepared a record seven winners of the Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m), including the 2020 hero Farnan (Not A Single Doubt) in conjunction with Bott. Her roll of honour also includes seven Doncaster Miles (Gr 1, 1600m), seven Epsom Handicaps (Gr 1, 1600m), four Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) and a Caulfield Cup (Gr 1, 2400m) with Descarado (High Chaparral) in 2010. 

Victory in Australia’s most famous race, the Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m), eluded her for 21 years until Fiorente (Monsun) scored an historic triumph at Flemington in 2013. 

Waterhouse, daughter of legendary trainer Tommy Smith, joined her father in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Sporting Australia Hall of Fame in 2018.